DOH reports 585 new HIV cases in July, highest since 1984

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday reported that the 585 new HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) cases recorded last month is the highest monthly case since 1984.

The July figure brings the total HIV cases this year to 3,399.

In his Twitter account, Dr. Eric Tayag, DOH assistant secretary, said that the running total of HIV cases since 1984 has reached 19,915, with around 16 new HIV cases recorded per day.

Tayag noted that most at risk are males, between 30-34 years old, from highly urbanized cities, due to unprotected sex with multiple partners.

In the DOH’s latest HIV and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) Registry, it reported that the 585 new HIV cases is 30 percent higher compared to the 449 cases recorded in the same period last year.

There were 90 deaths reported from January to July 2014.

Of the 19,915 HIV cases reported from 1984 to present, there were 1,815 AIDS cases already, with almost half (9,048) recorded in the National Capital Region. Thirteen percent (2,491) came from Region 4A, followed by nine percent (1,779) from Region 7, eight percent (1,564) from Region 3, six percent (1,145) from Region 11 and the remaining 15 percent (2,751) from other areas in the country.

The age group with most number of cases were aged 25 to 39.

The DOH also reported 379 HIV positive OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) in 2014, bringing to a total 3,017 HIV positive OFWs since 1984.

Since January 1984, there were 1,029 reported deaths among people with HIV. Eighty-two percent (840) were males. In total, there has been 121 deaths among youth (15-24 years old) and 15 deaths among children less than 15 years old).

As of July 2014, there were 7,172 people living with HIV presently on anti-retroviral therapy. These are the combined numbers of adult and pediatric patients currently under antiretroviral drugs in 19 treatment hubs in the country.